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Cut Your Risk of a Stroke

May is National Stroke Awareness Month Medically Reviewed by Nicolette Naso, MD

All of a sudden you feel dizzy. You try to talk, but it doesn’t come out right. Your leg (or arm or face) feels weak and numb. A splitting headache hits you out of the blue. Your vision blurs. The symptoms of a stroke seem simple and straightforward. However, a survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only 38% of people could correctly identify all 5 symptoms of stroke. If these appear SUDDENLY, call 911 immediately. Stroke is the leading cause of death and long-term disability in the US.

“The ability to identify stroke symptoms is important, because the speed with which a victim receives treatment is critical to their survival and recovery,” says McLeod Cardiologist Nicolette Naso, MD. “It can take months to recover from the disabilities. Sadly, about 30% of patients who survive have life-long disabilities.”

A long list of factors raise a person’s risk for suffering stroke:

Atrial Fibrillation. Irregular beating of the heart can cause blood to pool in the heart, leading to blood clots. These clots can then be carried to the brain, triggering a stroke.

Smoking. In much the same way smoking attacks blood vessels and the heart, the damage can increase the chance of stroke.

High Blood Pressure. Aside from stopping smoking, controlling your blood pressure is one of the few risk factors that a person can control.

Age. The older we are the more likely a person is to suffer a stroke.

Women & Hormones. Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies can cause problems in some women, leading to a stroke.

Preeclampsia.A pregnant woman, who suffered preeclampsia during pregnancy, faces increased risk of a stroke in her 50s and 60s.

There are primarily 2 types of strokes. Hemorrhagic Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. When a clot blocks blood to the brain, an Ischemic Stroke, the most common type, occurs. A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) occurs when the blood supply is only briefly interrupted.

Final Thought: TIAs are often viewed as a warning sign that the person may face a more serious stroke in the near future. TIAs should not be ignored. The person should be seen by a specialist as soon as possible.

The information on this site is intended to increase your awareness and understanding of specific health issues andservices at McLeod Health. It should not be used for diagnosis or as a substitute for health care by your physician.To report technical issues, please contact us. Public Access to Information or To Report a Concern.